Veterinary World最新文献

Tramadol is a pain killing drug highly used worldwide. There is a knowledge gap for fertility consequences of analgesic addiction in men. In this observational study, we investigated the hazards of tramadol abuse on human male reproductive function. A total of 30 tramadol addicts and 30 healthy controls have participated in the study. History and clinical examination of the included subjects were performed. Biochemical and molecular assays were measured in all participants include serum reproductive hormones (calculated free testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and estradiol) using ELISA techniques, semen analysis, seminal plasma zinc and selenium assays using colorimetric kits, seminal plasma tramadol concentrations using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and seminal plasma 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) using high performance liquid chromatography were measured. Tramadol abuse significantly decreased semen parameters quality. Additionally, tramadol abuse significantly decreased testosterone (P = 0.001) and increased prolactin serum levels (P = 0.000). Tramadol abusers showed significantly higher levels of 8-OHG (P < 0.0001) with significantly lower levels of zinc and selenium in their seminal plasma compared with the controls (P < 0.0001, and 0.0002 respectively). Also, tramadol addicts displayed positive correlations between seminal plasma levels of 8-OHG (r = 0.905, P = 0.00) and sperm abnormal forms (r = 0.610, P = 0.000) with seminal plasma tramadol levels. Seminal plasma levels of zinc (r = - 0.815, P = 0.00), sperm motility (r = - 0.484, P = 0.007), and vitality (r = - 0.430, P = 0.018) were negatively correlated with seminal plasma levels of tramadol. Our data suggest that tramadol abuse may impair male fertility by increasing oxidative damage of sperms and reducing testosterone and the antioxidants trace elements in testicular tissues.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-023-01141-4.

Background and aim: During black cumin oil production, black cumin meal (BCM) is produced as a by-product. This study investigated the potential use of BCM to partly replace concentrate in a rice straw-based diet of fattening Garut lambs.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight heads of male Garut lambs aged approximately10 months with an average initial body weight of 20.7 kg/head (coefficient of variation 12.9%) were used. A completely randomized design was used to compare four different levels (0% [control], 5% [BCM-5], 10% [BCM-10], and 15% [BCM-15]) of BCM in rice straw- and concentrate-based diets on the performance of Garut lambs during 35- and 70-day feeding trials using seven replicates (n = 7). Blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility were also measured after the performance study.

Results: BCM was rich in crude protein (36.8%) and tannins (21.6%). The BCM-10 and BCM-15 treatments increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain and feed efficiency compared with the control treatment in the 35-day feeding trial. All BCM treatments had greater dry matter (DM) intake compared with the Control at 70 days (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BCM-10 and BCM-15 had greater (p < 0.05) total protein, DM, and organic matter (OM) digestibility. BCM-15 had the highest (p < 0.01) blood triglyceride while BCM-10 tended to have higher (p < 0.1) blood glucose concentrations among the other treatments.

Conclusion: BCM supplementation can partly replace concentrate and improve the overall quality of rice straw and concentrate-based diets, resulting in improved performance of fattening Garut lambs due to increased DM and OM digestibility, as well as protein and energy absorption. Approximately 10% of the BCM supplementation is suggested as the optimum level.

Background and aim: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by abnormally elevated pressure in the pulmonary vasculature. It is a common complication of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs. Several vasoactive substances, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), have been suggested to contribute to pathological changes in the pulmonary arteries of patients with PH. This study aimed to examine the local and systemic expression of ET-1 in dogs with PH secondary to MMVD.

Materials and methods: Lung tissues were collected from 20 client-owned dogs during the first stage of the study and divided into three groups: normal dogs (n = 5), MMVD dogs (n = 8), and MMVD+PH dogs (n = 7). The expression of ET-1 and endothelin A receptor (ET_AR) in the pulmonary arteries was determined using immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were collected from 61 client-owned dogs for the second stage of the study and divided into three groups: normal (n = 22), MMVD (n = 20), and MMVD+PH (n = 19). Plasma ET-1 concentration was measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: There was no difference in ET-1 and ET_AR expression in the pulmonary arteries among the three groups. Similarly, there was no difference in the plasma ET-1 concentration between the groups. In addition, no correlation was found between the immunohistochemical expression of ET-1 and ET_AR and the thickness of the pulmonary arteries or between the plasma ET-1 level and echocardiographic variables.

Conclusion: The lack of difference in the expression of ET-1 and ET_AR in the pulmonary arteries and in the circulating ET-1 concentration among the studied groups suggests that ET-1 may not be related to the pathological development of PH secondary to MMVD in dogs. Due to the small sample size in this study, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Background and aim: Immunoglobulin (Ig)Y, a specific type of Ig found in chicken eggs, has potential use in the diagnosis of human and animal diseases. This study assessed the feasibility of using spent laying hens to produce IgY. In addition, the effects of antigen injection on egg and antibody production in new and spent laying hens were compared.

Materials and methods: Hens were intramuscularly injected with three booster shots of antigens. IgY was extracted from egg yolks using polyethylene glycol 6000 precipitation followed by dialysis.

Results: Spent laying hens (83 weeks) consistently showed lower egg production than new laying hens (27 weeks) throughout the study. Post-immunization, a further decline in egg production was observed in spent laying hens, and egg production stopped after the second antigen injection. Eggs from spent laying hens were less dense than eggs from new hens. Despite lower IgY levels in eggs from spent laying hens, the heavy-to-light chain ratio remained consistent in both groups. Notably, IgY from spent and new laying hens demonstrated effective hemagglutination against cat erythrocytes in the A blood group.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential of using spent laying hens to produce IgY, with significant implications for future research, immunotherapy, and diagnostic applications, despite the observed reduction in egg production compared with new laying hens.

Background and aim: Male fertility is essential to bovine reproduction, particularly when bulls are used for artificial insemination or single-sire breeding. Bull breeding and soundness examinations (BBSE) are routinely undertaken to identify potentially unfit bulls for breeding. Multiple criteria, including physical examination and determination of testicular and semen parameters, characterize BBSE. Knowledge interstices within this realm, especially in tropical African settings, necessitate pragmatic approaches to address the same. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of bull parameters on testicular attributes in a tropical setting.

Materials and methods: The present study recruited healthy bulls (n = 96) aged >16 months with active semen collection used for artificial insemination at the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Center. The breed breakdown was as follows: Ayrshire (n = 40), Boran (n = 3), Friesian (n = 36), Guernsey (n = 5), Jersey (n = 7), and Sahiwal (n = 5). Age, breed, body weight, scrotal circumference (SC), and testicular echotexture were collected, and the findings were analyzed using R statistical software.

Results: SC increased with age and body weight (p < 0.0001). SC varied from one breed to the others (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, as determined using trans-scrotal ultrasonography, hyperechoic testicular lesions were present in 30.21% of the bulls imaged, and the incidence was significantly related to age (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: SC is significantly affected by age and body weight. The mean SC was higher in the Bos indicus, but this finding is only indicative because the Sahiwal and Boran sample sizes were small. Notably, the prevalence of hyperechoic testicular foci following trans-scrotal ultrasonography was common in older bulls. However, there is a need to further elucidate this phenomenon's pathophysiology with age as the etiology and possible sequelae of semen quality.

Background and aim: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne disease in various regions of Indonesia. The transmission dynamics within a locality are intricately linked to the presence of the pathogen (microfilaria), definitive host (humans), intermediate host (mosquitoes), reservoir, and environmental factors. The geographic landscape of Central Bengkulu Regency, which is characterized by plantations, marshlands, and forests, serves as a suitable habitat for mosquitoes. Understanding species diversity, vector behaviors, habitat characteristics, and microfilarial presence is crucial for devising effective and efficient control strategies. This study aimed to identify species diversity, assess biting patterns, characterize larval habitats, and detect microfilarial presence in mosquitoes.

Materials and methods: Mosquito collection was conducted using human landing collection (HLC) and resting collection indoors and outdoors for 6 months at a frequency of twice monthly from November 2022 to May 2023. The larvae were collected using dippers and pipettes. Adult mosquitoes and larvae were identified at the species level and analyzed using diversity indices. The measured larval bioecological parameters included physical, chemical, and biological conditions. The mosquito density obtained through HLC was calculated using the man-hour density (MHD) and man-biting rate (MBR) formulas. The presence of microfilaria was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction.

Results: A total of 808 adult mosquitoes from five genera and 18 species were captured, along with 485 larvae from four genera and eight species. The mosquito diversity was moderate. The dominant adult species included Armigeres subalbatus (44.8%), whereas Aedes albopictus (25.4%) and Ar. subalbatus (22.3%) were abundant larvae. The highest larval density was observed in natural ponds. The average MBR was three mosquitoes per person per night, with fluctuating nightly activity (mean MHD of 1.8 mosquitoes per person per hour). Larval habitats had temperatures of 25.4°C-28.7°C, illumination of 224-674 lx, and pH of 7.1-7.9, with over half being turbid and nearly two-thirds lacking predators. Microfilariae were not detected in the tested mosquitoes.

Conclusion: The presence of mosquitoes, their habitat, and the high density of Ar. subalbatus contributes to the transmission of LF in Central Bengkulu Regency, Indonesia.

Background and aim: Bovine interleukin 15 (bIL15) is a potential immunotherapy that can block the spread of bovine leukemia virus (BLV). However, immune checkpoints that maintain body homeostasis may reduce their effectiveness. Thus, an analysis of the effectiveness of bIL15 while blocking negative immune regulators is necessary. We aimed to obtain recombinant bIL15 (rbIL15) and determine its percentage using monoclonal antibodies against bovine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). To achieve this goal, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy and BLV+ cattle were treated with bIL15 using a CTLA-4- and PD-L1-blocking algorithm.

Materials and methods: The codon-optimized bIL15 gene was synthesized under de novo conditions using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The synthesized gene was cloned into pET28 and transformed into electrocompetent Escherichia coli BL21 cells; rbIL15 was purified using metal affinity chromatography and analyzed using sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting. The expression of the Bcl2, STAT3, and STAT5 genes was studied using qualitative PCR. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze interferon (IFN)-γ production by rbIL15-treated mononuclear cells.

Results: Analysis of rbIL15 using SDS-PAGE and western blotting revealed a specific product weighing 24 kDa. The optimal conditions for rbIL15 induction were 0.2 mM isopropyl-β-D-1-galactopyranoside and 37°C. When rbIL15 was added to PBMCs from healthy cattle, the Bcl2, STAT3, and STAT5 genes were expressed. ELISA of the culture medium of rbIL15-treated PBMCs revealed IFN-γ production. When PBMCs from healthy cows were treated with rbIL15, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 blockade together, they did not produce more IFN-γ than the rbIL15 group. Using PBMCs from BLV+ cattle, combination treatment increased IFN-γ production.

Conclusion: The biological activity of rbIL15 is characterized by the induction of transcription factors and the production of IFN-γ. Using rbIL15 with CTLA-4 and PD-L1 blockade in PBMCs from healthy and BLV+ cows led to the production of a transcription factor and cytokine. The results demonstrate the possibility of using this method to improve immunity and immunological memory in patients with chronic viral infections.

Background and aim: Horses used for antisera production are repeatedly hyperimmunized to produce high levels of specific antibodies. This prolonged process can lead to various health issues, including amyloidosis, which involves the accumulation of amyloid proteins in organs and tissues, potentially causing organ dysfunction and failure. These horses are often retired when they no longer produce adequate antibody levels. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prolonged antisera production on the health of retired horses by examining their blood biochemistry and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, which are indicators of systemic inflammation and organ damage.

Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from 12 horses for this study. Nine horses were retired antisera-producing horses that had been discontinued for 2 years, while three healthy non-antisera-producing horses were used as controls. These twelve horses were divided into four groups based on the duration of their active period as antisera producers (never been used, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, and 6-7 years). We measured key blood biochemistry parameters and SAA levels to evaluate the health status of the horses.

Results: Total protein, fibrinogen, and globulin levels were elevated, whereas other parameters remained normal. The findings indicate that despite normal SAA levels, the horses exhibited signs of ongoing health issues related to their previous use in antisera production, such as increased total plasma protein, fibrinogen, and globulin levels, as well as the presence of amyloid deposits in vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, as observed in post-mortem examinations.

Conclusion: Despite normal SAA levels, retired antisera-producing horses showed elevated total protein, fibrinogen, and globulin levels, indicating ongoing health issues.

Background and aim: Free-grazing duck (FGD) raising is a unique domestic duck production system that is widely practiced in several Asian countries, including Thailand. FGD is a significant reservoir for influenza A viruses (IAVs). In this study, we genetically characterized IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7 isolated from avian influenza surveillance in FGDs in Thailand.

Materials and methods: We collected 640 swab samples from 29 FGD flocks located in 6 provinces of Thailand. IAVs were isolated from swab samples using egg inoculation. Hemagglutination test-positive samples were then subjected to IAV detection. Viral RNA was subjected to IAV detection using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) specific to matrix (M) gene. IAV subtypes were identified using the RT-PCR assay specific to all hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes. Whole-genome sequencing of IAVs was performed to genetically characterize IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7.

Results: Our results showed that 41 (6.41%) samples tested positive for IAV using rRT-PCR specific to the M gene. Among these, only two IAVs were subtypes as IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7 and were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7 belonged to the Eurasian lineage and did not show any evidence of reassortment from the North American lineage. The viruses exhibited low-pathogenic characteristics and preferred binding to avian-type receptors. Genetic analysis revealed no mutations in PB2 and M genes, unlike human IAV-H10N3 and IAV-H10N8, which exhibited increased virulence in mammals.

Conclusion: IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7 viruses have less potential as zoonotic viruses. However, IAV in FGDs should be monitored for novel reassortant or zoonotic viruses. This study provides information on the genetic characteristics and diversity of IAV-H10N6 and IAV-H10N7 that are circulated in FGDs in Thailand.